Suspects in graveyard beating face attempted murder, assault charges

A Clare County judge is set hear evidence to determine if a couple facing attempted murder and other charges should face trial after police say the two beat a man who was digging for cash in a cemetery in June.

Brett Ostrander, 49, of Gladwin and Christie Austin, 43, of Evart were arraigned earlier this month each on one count of assault with intent to murder, which carries a sentence of up to life; and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, a four-year felony.

Ostrander was also put on habitual violent offender notice, which requires a mandatory 25-year minimum sentence if convicted.

The two remain in the Clare County Jail —Ostrander in lieu of a $250,000 bond and Austin in lieu of a $100,000 bond— according to court records.

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On the lam for three months after a man was severely beaten in the Hamilton township Cemetery, Ostrander and Austin were arrested separately in Gratiot County on Sept. 30.

“Both subjects had fled the area on the morning of the incident and were said to have also fled the state and remained in hiding. The matter continued as an active search for them,” Clare County Sheriff’s Lt. Mike Bailey said after they two were arrested in September.

Whether Austin and Ostrander found money had not been determined but one person in the group said cash was buried in the graveyard some time ago.

The group was not robbing a grave but digging in an area where nobody is buried, Bailey said.

Both Ostrander and Austin are scheduled for a preliminary examination on Oct. 18 in Clare County District Court.

About the Author

Lisa Yanick Litwiller is a photographer and community engagement editor. She is a 2000 graduate of CMU, the mother of two boys, is terrified of birds and close spaces, and loves wine, music and gossip. Reach the author at llitwiller@michigannewspapers.com
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